Akel Leader Stefanou Opposes NATO Integration

Speaking at the annual event of his party's youth wing, Edon, in Troodos, Stefanou stated that the Cypriot left is determined to continue this struggle. On Sunday, Akel leader Stefanos Stefanou expressed his opposition to the government's efforts to integrate Cyprus into NATO.

Speaking at the annual trip of his party's youth wing, Edon, to Troodos, Stefanou said the trip has a "decades-long history."

"This is a movement that began before 1974 and continues to express and fight for the demand of the Cypriot left for Cyprus to be free from military bases, to be a homeland, and to be a bridge of peace and cooperation in the region," he said.

"The desire, goal, and demand expressed by the Cypriot left remain relevant, and therefore the Cypriot left, Akel, Edon, and the people's movement continue this struggle," he said.

"That is why Akel opposes the efforts of the [President Nikos] Christodoulides government to integrate Cyprus into NATO. That is why Akel opposes the government's efforts to turn Cyprus into a NATO and American base for imperialist interventions in the bloody region of the Middle East," he said.

He also expressed his support for a peculiar, bicommunal solution to the Cyprus problem, stating, "For us, both the status quo and division pose a new source of danger for our homeland and our people, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots."

He concluded his speech by welcoming Edon's visit to Troodos and the presence of a delegation from the youth wing of the Turkish Cypriot political party CTP.

Stefanou's comments came ten days after then-US President Joe Biden announced a presidential decision that included the Republic of Cyprus in three programs run by the US Department of Defense, allowing the country to purchase military equipment directly from the US government.

These programs are the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program of the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program, and the programs for allocating resources under the US 'Title 10' security assistance provisions.

With the inclusion in the FMS program, the government could previously only purchase US military equipment from private companies. This will allow them to purchase military equipment directly from the US government.

By bypassing private companies, the government will be able to purchase weapons and other equipment more cheaply than before, as the US government typically buys equipment in bulk and can sell it to an army the size of the National Guard at a lower price than private companies would offer.

The EDA program allows "friendly foreign countries" to purchase military equipment that the US considers "excess" from the US and is typically used to modernize the armed forces of the US's international partners, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The products are usually offered by the US at a discounted price, depending on the condition of the equipment at the time of sale; Cyprus Mail knows that in some cases, the equipment is offered for free.

At the time, Christodoulides said the decision was "a development of historic importance."

"This reflects the results of our government's clear policy and orientation and provides significant benefits in the fields of policy, diplomacy, and defense," he said.

He added that the issue was discussed during his meeting with then-US President Joe Biden in October and that the decision was "another historic milestone in the bilateral relations between Cyprus and the US."

"At the same time, this is a clear recognition that the Republic of Cyprus, as a critical pillar of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, has the potential to contribute more to the pace and management of humanitarian challenges," he said.

He said the decision constituted "an undoubtedly decisive development that confirms Cyprus's value on the broader geopolitical chessboard and sends strong messages towards deepening strategic cooperation between Cyprus and the US."